Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-7-5-.08
(1) Power Boilers
(a) Age Limit of Existing Boilers
(c) Maximum Allowable Working Pressure for Nonstandard Boilers
4. The maximum allowable working pressure on the shell of a boiler or drum shall be determined by the strength of the weakest course computed from the thickness of the plate, the tensile strength of the plate, the efficiency of the longitudinal joint, the inside diameter of the course, and the factor of safety allowed by these rules in accordance with the following formula:
(i) (TS)(t)(E) maximum allowable
------------ = working pressure, psig
(R)(FS)
where:
TS = specified minimum tensile strength of shell plate material, psi. When the tensile strength of steel or wrought-iron shell plate is not known, it shall be taken as 55,000 psi for steel and 45,000 psi for wrought iron.
t = minimum thickness of shell plate, in weakest course, inches
E = efficiency of longitudinal joint, method of determining which is given in Paragraph PG-27 of Section I of the ASME Code
R = inside radius of the weakest course of the shell or drum, inches
FS = factor of safety, which shall be at least 5.0
(d) Safety Valves
9. The relieving capacity of the safety valves on any boiler shall be checked by one of the following three methods and, if found to be insufficient, additional valves shall be provided:
(e) Boiler Feeding
(f) Water Level Indicators
(g) Water Columns
(h) Gage Glass Connections
1. Gage glasses and gage cocks that are not connected directly to a shell or drum of the boiler shall be connected by one of the following methods:
(ii) When only water gage glasses are used, they may be mounted away from the shell or drum and the water column omitted, provided the following requirements are met:
(III) The steam and water connections comply with the requirements of the following:
(i) Pressure Gages
2. Each forced-flow steam generator with no fixed steam and waterline shall be equipped with pressure gages or other pressure-measuring devices located as follows:
(j) Stop Valves
(k) Blowoff Piping
(2) Heating Boilers
(d) Nonstandard Cast-Iron Boilers
(f) Safety Valves
4. The minimum valve capacity in pounds per hour shall be the greater of that determined by dividing the maximum BTU output at the boiler nozzle obtained by the firing of any fuel for which the unit is installed by 1,000, or shall be determined on the basis of the pounds of steam generated per hour per square foot of boiler heating surface, as given in Table I. In many cases, a greater relieving capacity of valves than the minimum specified by these rules will have to be provided. In every case, the requirements of Rule 165–X-4-.08(2)(f)5. shall be met.
TABLE I
MINIMUM POUNDS OF STEAM PER HOUR PER SQUARE FOOT OF HEATING
SURFACE
Firetube Boilers Watertube Boilers
Boiler Heating Surface:
Hand-fired 5 6
Stoker-fired 7 8
Oil, gas, or pulverized fuel-fired 8 10
Waterwall Heating Surface:
Hand-fired 8 8
Stoker-fired 10 12
Oil, gas, or pulverized fuel-fired 14 16
(g) Safety Relief Valve Requirements for Hot Water Heating and Hot Water Supply Boilers
(h) Steam Gages
(i) Pressure or Altitude Gages and Thermometers
(j) Water Gage Glasses
(k) Stop Valves
(l) Feedwater Connections
(m) Water Column and Water Level Control Pipes
(3) Pressure Vessels
(b) Maximum Allowable Working Pressure for Nonstandard Pressure Vessels, Except as Provided in Rule 165–X-4-.08(3)(c).
1. The maximum allowable working pressure of a nonstandard pressure vessel shall be determined by the strength of the weakest course computed from the thickness of the plate, the tensile strength of the plate, the efficiency of the longitudinal joint, the inside diameter of the course, and the factor of safety set by these rules.
(i) (TS)(t)(E) maximum allowable
----------- = working pressure, psig
(R)(FS)
where:
TS = specified minimum tensile strength of shell plate material, psi (When the tensile strength of carbon steel plate is not known, it may be taken as 55,000 psi for temperatures not exceeding 650°F. For other materials, use the lowest stress values for that material from Section VIII of the ASME Code.)
t = minimum thickness of shell plate of weakest course, inches
E = efficiency of longitudinal joint, depending upon construction
Use the following values: for riveted joints - calculated riveted efficiency; for fusion-welded and brazed joints:
Percent
Single lap weld 40
Double lap weld 50
Single butt weld 60
Double butt weld 70
Forge weld 70
Brazed steel 80
R = inside radius of weakest course of shell in inches, provided the thickness does not exceed ten (10) percent of the radius. If the thickness is over ten (10) percent of the radius, the outer radius shall be used.
FS = factor of safety allowed by these rules
(g) Bulk Storage Liquid Carbon Dioxide Storage Vessels (LCDSVs)
C. Shall not obstruct more than three sides of the perimeter with supports and walls. At least 25% of the perimeter area as calculated from the maximum height of the storage container shall be open to atmosphere and openings shall be in direct conveyance with ground level.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (ENCLOSED AND UNENCLOSED AREAS)
H. LCDSVs shall be equipped with isolation valves in accordance with paragraph NBIC Part 1.
LCDSVs LOCATED IN UNENCLOSED AREA(s)
If LCDSVs are installed outdoors and exposed to the elements, appropriate additional protection may be provided as determined by the department based on the general weather conditions and temperatures that the tank may be exposed to. Some possible issues include:
B. If supply line is not UV resistant then the supply line should be protected via conduit or appropriate covering.
LCDSVs LOCATED IN ENCLOSED AREAS
a. LCDSVs utilizing remote fill connections:
b. Portable LCDSVs with no permanent remote fill connection: Warning: LCDSVs shall not be filled indoors or in enclosed areas under any circumstances. Tanks must always be moved to the outside to an unenclosed, free airflow area for filling.
4. Shall be provided with a pathway that provides a smooth rolling surface to the outdoor, unenclosed fill area. There shall not be any stairs or other than minimal inclines in the pathway.
FILLBOX LOCATION / SAFETY RELIEF/VENT VALVE CIRCUIT TERMINATION
Fill boxes and/or vent valve terminations shall be installed above grade, outdoors in an unenclosed, free airflow area. The fill connection shall be located so not to impede means of egress or the operation of sidewalk cellar entrance doors, including during the delivery process and shall be:
4. Shall not be located within ten (10) feet (3050 mm) from stair wells that go below grade.
GAS DETECTION SYSTEMS
Rooms or areas where carbon dioxide storage vessel(s) are located indoors or in enclosed or below grade outdoor locations shall be provided with a gas detection and alarm system for general area monitoring that is capable of detecting and notifying building occupants of a CO2 gas release.
Alarms will be designed to activate a low level pre-alarm at 5,000 parts per million (ppm) concentration of CO2 and a full high alarm at 30,000 ppm concentration of CO2 which is the NIOSH & ACGIH 15 minute Short Term Exposure Limit for CO2.
These systems are not designed for employee personal exposure monitoring. Gas detection systems shall be installed and tested in accordance with manufactures installation instructions and the following requirements:
b. Audible alarms shall also be placed at the entrance(s) to the room or area where the carbon dioxide storage vessel and/ or fill box is located to notify anyone who might try to enter the area of a potential problem.
SIGNAGE
Warning signs shall be posted at the entrance to the building, room, enclosure, or enclosed area where the container is located as indicated below.
The warning sign shall be at least 8 in (200mm) wide and 6 in (150mm) high.
The wording shall be concise and easy to read and the upper portion of the sign must be orange as shown in figure NBIC Part
1. The size of the lettering must be as large as possible for the intended viewing distance and can be determined by departmental requirements.
The minimum letter height shall be in accordance with NEMA American National Standard for Environmental and Facility Safety Signs (ANSI Z535.2). The warning signs shall state the
following:
Additional instructional signage shall be posted outside of the area where the container is located and such signage shall contain at minimum the following information:
C. High Level Alarm 30,000ppm - Personnel should evacuate the area and nobody should enter the affected area without proper self-contained breathing apparatus until the area is adequately ventilated and the concentration of CO2 is reduced below the high alarm limit.
VALVES, PIPING, TUBING AND FITTINGS
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The Liquid Carbon Dioxide Beverage systems include the Liquid Carbon Dioxide Storage Vessel or LCDSV (tank) and associated sub-system circuits – Liquid CO2 fill circuit, and associated sub-system circuits and Pressure relief / vent line circuit. The LCDSV's are vacuum insulated pressure vessels, constructed of stainless steel, with Super Insulation wrapping between the inner pressure vessel and the outer vacuum jacket.
These Pressure vessels are typically designed for a Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) of either 300 psig (2068 kPa) or 283 psig (1951 kPa). The LCDSV come equipped with an ASME/NB certified "UV" Primary Relief Valve (PRV) set at or below the MAWP of the vessel. Additionally, as recommended by the Compressed Gas Association pamphlet CGA S-1.3, (PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE STANDARDS PART 3 - STATIONARY STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR COMPRESSED GASSES) a secondary relief valve may be installed. This secondary relief valve is beyond the scope of ASME Section VIII, Division 1 and is not required to be ASME/NB stamped and certified. This additional PRV is typically rated no higher than 1.5 times the vessel MAWP.
Operating conditions of the system, components, and inner pressure vessel can vary causing temperatures and pressures to range from 90 psig (-56°F) to and 300 psig (+2°F) {620 kPa (-49°C) to 2068 kPa (-16°C)}. Below about 60 psig (413 kPa) in the tank, liquid CO2 begins changing to solid phase (dry ice). If the tank becomes completely depressurized to 0 psig, temperatures inside the tank could reach -109°F (-78°C), (solid dry ice). When liquid CO2 turns to solid dry ice in a completely depressurized tank, all CO2 gas flow in the system ceases and the tank becomes nonfunctional.
Components external to the LCDSV inner tank pressure vessel may encounter pressures and temperatures between 90 psig, and -56°F to 300 psig and +2°F, respectively {between 620 kPa, and -49°C to 2068 kPa and -16°C, respectively}. Typical operating pressures and temperatures vary in each of the associated sub-system circuits.
INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS OF LCDSVs
SCOPE
This Rule provides requirements for the inspection of LCDSVs, fill boxes, fill lines and pressure relief discharge/vent circuits that are used for carbonated beverage systems, swimming pool PH control systems and other fill in place systems storing 1,000lbs (454 kg) or less of liquid CO2. Owners/Users are responsible for all fill boxes, fill lines and pressure relief discharge/vent circuits that are not visible at the time of inspection. Inspectors may require owners/Users to verify all piping circuits are installed correctly and functioning properly if necessary.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS STORAGE TANK LOCATION
LCDSVs should be installed in an unenclosed area whenever possible. LCDSVs that do not meet all criteria for an unenclosed area shall be considered an enclosed area installation. An unenclosed area:
A. Materials - Materials selected for valves, piping, tubing, hoses and fittings used in the LCDSV system shall meet following requirements:
B. Relief Valves - Each LCDSV shall have at least one ASME/NB stamped & certified relief valve with a pressure setting at or below the MAWP of the tank. The relief valve shall be suitable for the temperatures and flows experienced during relief valve operation. The minimum relief valve capacity shall be designated by the manufacturer. Additional relief valves that do not require ASME stamps may be added per Compressed Gas Association pamphlet, CGAS-1.3 Pressure Relief Device Standards Part 3, Stationary Storage Containers for Compressed Gases, recommendations. Discharge lines from the relief valves shall be sized in accordance with tables NBIC Part 1.
Note: Due to the design of the LCDSV the discharge line may be smaller in diameter than the relief valve outlet size.
Caution: Company's and or individuals filling or refilling LCDSV's shall be responsible for utilizing fill equipment that is acceptable to the manufacturer to prevent over pressurization of the vessel.
C. Isolation Valves - Each LCDSV shall have an isolation valve installed on the fill line and tank discharge, or gas supply line in accordance with the following requirements:
D. Safety Relief/Vent Lines - Safety relief/vent lines shall be as short and straight as possible with a continuous routing to an unenclosed area outside the building and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
The vent line shall be a continuous run from the vessel safety relief valve to outside vent line discharge fitting, without any splices. These lines shall be free of physical defects such as cracking or kinking and all connections shall be securely fastened to the LCDSV and the fill box.
The minimum size and length of the lines shall be in accordance with NBIC Part 1(see below). Fittings or other connections may result in a localized reduction in diameter have been factored into the lengths given by the NBIC Part 1.
Note: Due to the design of the LCDSV the discharge line may be smaller in diameter than the relief valve outlet size but shall not be smaller than that shown in NBIC Part 1, Tables S3.6 a) and b).
Minimum LCDSV System Safety Relief /Vent Line Requirements (Metallic)
| Tank Size (Pounds) | Fire Flow Rate Requirements (Pounds per Minute) | Maximum length of 3/8 inch ID Metallic Tube Allowed | Maximum Length of Vi inch Metallic Tube Allowed |
| Less than 500 | 2.60 maximum | 80 feet | 100 feet |
| 500-750 | 3.85 maximum | 55 feet | 100 feet |
| Over 750-1000 | 5.51 maximum | 18 feet | 100 feet |
Minimum LCDSV System Safety Relief/Vent Line Requirements (plastic/polymer)
| Tank Size (Pounds) | Fire Flow Rate Requirements (Pounds per Minute) | Maximum length of 3/8 inch ID plastic/ polymer materials Tube Allowed | Maximum Length of % inch plastic/polymer materials Tube Allowed |
| Less than 500 | 2.60 maximum | 100 feet | 100 feet |
| 500-750 | 3.85 maximum | 100 feet | 100 feet |
| Over 750-1000 | 5.51 maximum | N/A see 1/2 inch | 100 feet |
Metric Minimum LCDSV System Safety Relief/Vent Line Requirements (Metallic)
| Tank Size (Kg) | Fire Flow Rate Requirements (Kg per Minute) | Maximum length of 10mm ID Nominal Metallic Tube Allowed | Maximum Length of 13mm Metallic Tube Allowed |
| Less than 227 | 1.18 maximum | 24 m | 30.5 m |
| 227-340 | 1.75 maximum | 17 m | 30.5 m |
| Over 340-454 | 2.50 maximum | 5.5 m | 30.5 m |
Metric Minimum LCDSV System Safety Relief/Vent Line Requirements (plastic/polymer)
| Tank Size (kg) | Fire Flow Rate Requirements (kg per Minute) | Maximum length of 10mm ID Nominal plastic/polymer Tube Allowed | Maximum Length of 13mm ID plastic/polymer materials Tube Allowed |
| Less than 227 | 1.18 maximum | 30.5 m | 30.5 m |
| 227-340 | 1.75 maximum | 30.5 m | 30.5 m |
| Over 340-454 | 2.50 maximum | N/A see 13 mm | 30.5 m |
Note: Due to the design of the LCDSV the discharge line may be smaller in diameter than the relief valve outlet size but shall not be smaller than that shown in tables above.
Author: Board of Boilers & Pressure Vessels, Dr. David Dyer, Chairman
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§25-12-4, -6, -14.
History: New Rule: Filed February 20, 2004; effective March 23, 2004. Amended: Filed January 9, 2013; effective February 13, 2013. Amended: File December 11, 2015; effective January 28, 2016.